Campaigns, Media, & Actions

VOICE OF THE PEOPLE TOUR - PRESS CONFERENCE STATEMENT

Posted by Terry Wishart, Council of Canadians - Fredericton Chapter

20 March 2014

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Voice of the People Tour kick-offDelta Hotel Fredericton - March 20 2014

Who are we? Firstly, the Voice of the People Tour is being organized by concerned citizens through various community organizations: the Council of Canadians, the New Brunswick Anti Shale Gas Alliance, the Fredericton District Labour Council and Unifor. We are working together to bring these important issues to the people in our communities.

The Voice of the People Tour will be coming to communities in every corner of the province. We want to hear your voice!The purpose of our tour is to provide public education about shale gas and clean energy.

We will be asking the people in our communities:

• Do we know everything we need to about shale gas?

• Is shale gas the only way to create jobs?

• What do you want in your backyard?

The town hall meetings will provide an overview of scientific evidence of the effects of shale gas development, specifically hydraulic fracturing of shale gas. We also want to discuss possible alternatives to shale gas development, namely clean energy and clean jobs.

Our concerns are broadly shared. We are here today in solidarity with many other organizations who have given their endorsement to the Voice of the People Tour. Why? Because they too are concerned with the dangers of shale gas and the lack of consultation with the people.

These organizations are:

CUPEUniforFredericton and District Labour CouncilThe New Brunswick Federation of LabourNew Brunswick Anti-Shale Gas AllianceCouncil of CanadiansConservation Council of New BrunswickThe National Farmers UnionAnd more...

The tour will highlight why so many organizations and people are against shale gas, including 130 New Brunswick municipalities, community organizations, and professional associations. Most recently, many labour unions have called for a Provincial/national moratorium on shale gas development.

Why have the citizens organized this tour? Because we believe that the peoples' voice is vital in democracy. Over the past 4 years there has been little to no consultation or public meetings initiated by the government, nor by industry. So, people are organizing themselves. Also, there has been no consultation with the First Peoples of this land.

In addition, the Government of New Brunswick has failed to provide the public with peer reviewed scientific evidence of the harmful effects of shale gas fracking, and shale gas development. The people are not getting the information they need.

The Premier would have us believe that shale gas is the only way to create jobs in this Province. We know this is not true. In fact, according to Blue-Green Canada, for the same investment there are seven times more jobs created with clean energy and building efficiency than with the oil and gas industry.

For example, The 2013 Massachusetts Clean Energy Industry report showed that there were double the number of clean energy workers compared with the number of natural gas workers in neighbouring shale gas state of Pennsylvania. 80,000 jobs were created in the clean energy versus 40,000 jobs in the natural gas sector.

Clean jobs and green energy are possible and more financially viable and long term. Shale gas jobs disappear once the wells are drilled.

It makes more sense for New Brunswick to invest in clean energy alternatives instead of shale gas. It's safer and creates more jobs. To do otherwise would be a lost opportunity for our Province.

Action Alerts

The EOS Board of Directors has written an open letter to the Government of New Brunswick urging more climate action and is seeking support from other environmental organizations and members of the public who would like to sign a pledge. Responding to a recent report from the International Panel on Climate Change and New Brunswick’s commitment to emission reductions, EOS Eco-Energy (EOS) is encouraged that the Government has adopted the document, “Transitioning to a Low-Carbon Economy: New Brunswick’s Climate Change Action Plan”. This plan was created by and for New Brunswickers. However, the EOS Board of Directors strongly recommends that a goal-oriented timeline accompany the plan to track progress of those targets set out for 2030. And, in order that the plan be fully implemented, it is necessary that the Government promptly support a fair price-on-carbon program.

EOS welcomes the public and other environmental groups to pledge support for requesting the Government of New Brunswick actively pursue the implementation of its plan, “Transitioning to a Low-Carbon Economy: New Brunswick’s Climate Change Action Plan” by (1) prioritizing and creating a timeline for each action and by publicly reporting CO2 emissions reductions annually, starting with a report in 2020; and (2) by adopting a fair carbon pollution-pricing plan before 2020. Those who sign on also pledge to support a fair carbon pricing plan for New Brunswick residents, organizations, industry, and businesses.

Do you know an individual or organization that has demonstrated excellence in land conservation in our province? Nominations for the 2018 Lieutenant-Governor’s Award for Excellence in Land Conservation are open until Monday, October 1, 2018.

Successful nominees will have a significant impact on land conservation in New Brunswick through leadership, direct action, and long-term involvement as well as other significant contributions. Eligible nominees may include any individuals or organizations involved in stewardship, volunteerism, donation of lands, or building effective partnerships and must meet at least one of the following criteria:

An individual or entity who has contributed in a sustained manner over a significant period of time;

An individual or entity who has contributed significantly in a relatively short amount of time;

A donor of funds or property;

A volunteer, steward and/or member of the Nature Trust of New Brunswick;

A corporate or community partner of the Nature Trust of New Brunswick;

An individual who contributed significantly in the past and should be recognized posthumously.

About

The New Brunswick Environmental Network (NBEN), established in 1991, is a communication network that links together over a 100 non-profit environmental organizations.

The role of the NBEN is to improve communication and co-operation among environmental groups and between these groups, government and other sectors. The NBEN provides educational opportunities for its member and associate groups and encourages the growth of the environmental movement in New Brunswick. The NBEN is not an advocacy group and does not take positions on any issue.